Tunnel construction



Feb. 28,` 1939. y E, SCHMIDTMANN 2,149,232

TUNNEL CONS TRUCTION Filed Aug. 24, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l v Y I E. SCHMIDTMANN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Fehza, 1939.

Filed Aug. 24, 15956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb: 28, 1939. El SCHMIDTMANN 2,149,232

TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 24, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffy/4 Patented Feb. 28, 1939 VuNlTlazD STATES PATENT vOFFICE Application August 24, 1936, Serial'No. 97,583 In Germany February 14, `19.34

4 Claims.

My inventionV relates yto the construction of mine galleries, mine shafts, tunnels, and the like. The object Vfof the present invention is yto simpliiy such constructions, while at the same time 5 giving them considerable strength andgreat flexibility. To this end,-I-use`separate sections made of steel, preferablyv in the shape of rings, which I ythen connect with `each other by frictional interengagement. In accordance with my invention, the adjoining annular steel sections of the desired prole cross-section and of suitable dimensions are hydraulically or yby mechanical lforces pressed so strongly against and partially into each other in `axial direction as to form a strong r friction joint, which not only is ycapable. of withstanding great Abending and shearing stresses, but is also `flexible because of the complete absenceof any screws, bolts or the like usually employed yin such structures. zo Typical longitudinalsections through the upper wallsr of mine galleries and tunnels constructed in accordance with this invention are shown on Sheet I of the' drawings (Figs.v 1-9) while they same typicalA vertical sections through perpen-v dicular mine and winding shafts are shown on Sheet II of the drawings (Figs. 10-l3`), whereas on Sheet III of the drawings'there isL shown in Fig.- '14 they flexible lcharacter of a circular mine gallery,.and in Fig. r`15 a side-view thereof.

Figs. I6 and "17 show in side View and longitudinalsection respectively a mine gallery illustrating the yflexible character of a mine gallery the sectionsrof which are connected by a friction joint, while Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic top plan 35, view of 'a curved 'flexible mine gallery, the upper longitudinal sectionsv of which are shown by Figs. 19 and 19a. Finally, Figs. 20K-22 show a polyg onal minegallery illustrating the friction joint, Fig. 20 representing the upper cross-sectiomFig.

- 40, 21 theupper longitudinal section and Fig. V22 .a

topL plan View of such a polygonal mine gallery. The 'cross section of a mine' galleryor tunnel maybe a circle, a polygon,'ellipsis, a parabola or the shape 'of a horse-shoe, while for the yer-y 45. tical shafts only a circular cross-section is used.

' InjFig. ljis showna short piece of the upper` longitudinalV section of a mine. gallery or tunnel made up of annular sections Yof'I-shaped .crosssection, which lhydraulically or by mechanical 5() means are pressedl or fforced laterally, 'that is,

in the laxial direction, 'against and into eachl other, so that theouter peripheries of the'flanges of the annular 'sectionsjof smaller profile will abutand both frictionally and resiliently 'press against .thefinner 'peripherlesoi theiiangesv of the annular sections having the larger prole. In this way, the annular sections are frictionally firmly joined as .shown by thesectional view of Fig. 1.

Where, as shown in the sectional View of Fig. 2, 5 the .outer peripheries of the anges of the smaller annular sections are conically rolled to correspond .to the taper .of the inner peripheral vsuriaces. ofthe larger .annular sections, the nnished structure, after the .annular sections of succes- 10 sively smaller and larger size have been forced together and into each other, will be as shown in Fig. 2:0i the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the langesare spherically shaped. permitting the 15 frictional engagement, similarly as in Fig. 2, to be effected over a wider surface.

If perfectly smooth outer and inner walls are desired I-proles such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are used which are all of the same height and 20 which have the .same moments of inertia and resistance. In. the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 slightlylconical projections and corresponding recesses, li. e. keys rand grooves, are provided in theedges of the flanges, whereby the interen- 25 gaging friction ksurfaces for the production of the friction joint are `doubled as compared with the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.

The same is the 'case Aof the embodiment shown in Fig. 6.,"except that here the cross-section of oneof the'edges of :the anges is made greater, making the anges stronger and more resistant. Moreover, the advantage is obtained that this particular shape' of the anges furnishes an abutment for the engagement of the tool used .in pressing the ring-sections together.

'IheI-'liiroles shown in Fig. 7 are provided with projecting edges d which may .either be formed during the rolling operation, or are subsequently produced yas the annular sections are rounded.

According to Fig. 48, the structure vis produced by a combination .ofnormalbproles such as shown ini-Fig. y1 and especially wide-llangcd proles, the flanged'edges d of which are produced during therolling operation or are subsequently shaped'V during the rounding of the annular sections.

'I'he embodiment of Fig. 9 shows normal I-profiles the flanges of which abut with their edges against each other. In this case, Vintermediate ring-shaped 'solid members H of hard wood are used which completely Jlill, the 'hollow spaces between the adjoiningLI-proles.

' The. friction coemcientbetween the metal and the wood is considerably greater than that between metal and metal, and the shearing strength of the hard wood is considerable and almost as resistant as that of the steel section.

Instead of the inclined inner faces of the flanges of the I-proles as shown in Fig. 9, there may also be provided parallel faces, which, as a matter of fact, may be the case in all the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-9, without the character and effect of the friction joint being affected thereby. Everyone skilled in the art is aware of the fact that not only conical hubs can be pressed on conical journals, but that also cylindrically bored hubs can be hydraulically pressed onto cylindrical axles.

Instead of intermediate rings H of hard wood, there may also be pressed into the hollow spaces between the I-proflles hollow, angular or otherwise shaped bodies n. Said bodies then produce a friction-joint which may be modified as desired.

The I- or U-proles shown in broken lines at h in Figs. 4 to 9 represent reinforcement elements which, as the adjoining annular sections are pressed together, are likewise forced into sharp and well-fitted contact with each other so as to fully restore the homogeneity which is interrupted at the joints.

Said reinforcement elements also can consist of hollow profiles which are open at their ends, but which may also be closed as, for instance, by the reinforcing elements b in Figs. 14 and 15.

No such elements are shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in which by the hatching is indicated that the vhollow spaces between the I-proiiles can be filled with concrete, which is especially done when a rigid mine or tunnel structure is designed.

The intermediate space between the periphery of the structure and the surrounding ground can also be filled in with concrete, as is indicated in Figs. l to 3.

Figs. 10 to 13 show vertical sectional views through winding shaft walls which in most cases are made water-tight and which consist of either circular or elliptical ring-sections of I-profiles which are axially firmly forced and pressed into each other, horizontal and vertical packings being interposed. Each shaft is provided with supporting structures shown at t in Fig. 10 and consisting of two or more concentric rings surrounding the shaft structure. The inner supporting ring or section 1J (Fig. 10) serves the purpose of securing the shaft timbering and the battens.

In a double shaft structure (Fig. 11) A is the outer structure column, B the inner structure column, while C indicates a possible third intermediate column, which may either be a separate column by itself or may also be connected with the other two columns.

The anges of the I-profles in Figs. 10 to 13 can have parallel, tapering or spherical faces and single-grooved edges, as shown in Fig. 12 or several grooves, as shown in Fig. 13.

Figs. 12 and 13 and the intermediate flanges m` in Fig.` 10 as well as vthe electrically welded cross bars st in Figs. 10 and 13 constitute further embodiments and modifications of the I-proflles,

the number of which can be increased as desired, and which are all, according to the same principle, subjected to the elastic and yielding frictional interengagement or pressing together with or without the interposition of packing material. The packing material is placed between the flanged peripheral faces and upon the flanged end faces as the ring sections are assembled.

All the structural columns and the intermediate spaces as well as the spaces around the columns are lled with concrete.

The rings of the shaft structure each consist of one piece of I-shaped rolled iron, electrically welded at the abutting ends in case a mine explosion need not be feared, or each of two or more circular sections which at the vertical abutting joints can also be electrically welded, or which in well-known manner are peripherally, but not axially connected by screws, ties or shrink collars so as not to prevent expansions or upsettings.

The axial joint is produced by the sections being pressed into each other. Therefore, the shrink bands Z or clamps (not shown) only contribute to the increase in the vertical stiffening of the outer sections of the supporting rings t, for the latter are not only provided as supports, but also act to increase the resistance of the shaft structure against buckling.

The iron U-shaped rings or sections u used for the supporting rings t and the U-shaped fastening rings v can also be replaced by I-proles or otherwise shaped rings, while, vice versa, the I-rings can be replaced by U-shaped rings, or the like, in any desired arrangement or combination.

The interposed and compressed relatively thick packings of smooth labyrinth-like ribbed material permit pulling and upsetting of such a shaft structure to the largest extent, because in the axial direction anchoring by screws, or the like is not required.

Also in this shaft, galleryor tunnel structure according to Figs. 10 to 13, reinforcing and homogenizing elements b as used in the embodiments shown in Figs. 4 to 9 can be pressed in together with the sections thereby producing also at the joints a complete homogeneity.

Figs. 14 to 22 show more particularly resilient circular Aor otherwise shaped ring sections for mine galleries, tunnels, etc. by the formation of increased spaces at the joints a: and y between the ends of the sections. With increasing pressure of the surrounding ground and the resulting decrease of the Spaces :t: and y, the sections have a mutually relative movement. The initial friction produced upon the sections being axially pressed together, produces in the peripheries of the ring sections a gliding friction which increases in accordance with the principle of rope friction. Upon reduction of the diameter'D the iiange peripheries are pressed into still more intimate contact so that not only the frictional energy, but also the deforrning energy must increase, whether the cross-section lof the-structure is a circle, an ellipsis, or the like.

Figs. 14 and 15 show a more especially resilient mine-gallery or tunnel structure embodying my invention, the two figures being respectively a cross-section and a longitudinal section. ,At :l: and y are indicated the gaps at the jointsy as well as the reinforcing and homogenising bridges b shown also in Figs. 4-9. In the present embodiment they are in the shape of pressed-in hollow bodies provided with closed welded ends, though this is not absolutely essential. The hollow bodies, moreover, may be provided with conical faces s which have a wedge-like action t'o increase the friction and deformation work, if the diameter D of the structure and the gaps a: and y at the joints,on an increase of the dynamic pressure of the ground become smaller.V

Alsothe pressed-in pairs of wedges lc enclosed by the profiles in Figs. 14 and 15 act in the same lli , bodying my invention.

way toward an increase of the friction and deformation work. A wedge-shaped construction of the peripheral end faces of the ring sections in Figs. 16 and 17 produces the same effect.

These beforementioned three expedients may be used singly or combined in order to produce an increase of the friction and deformation Work.

On curved stretches as shown in Fig. 18, the gaps n: and y are preferably increased only toward the interior. In the case of parallel boundaries of the peripheral front edges of a section, there may also be inserted on curved stretches conical fittings p, as indicated on theY right in Figs. 18, 19 and 19a. Y

Figs. 20 and 21 show a polygonal structure em- This structure is made resilient by the use of solid (or hollow) wedges k1 or k2. 'I'he former act radially, while the latter act axially toward an increase of the friction and deformation work. Moreover, the straight or lcurved structural parts of this polygonal structure may be given conical boundaries for the purpose of increasing the friction and deformation work on the diameter of the polygonal structure being reduced.

If one assumes that the wedge-shaped faces in'y Figs. 16 and 17 and in Fig. 22 are turned through an angle of 90 so that the wedge action is not axial but radial as in the case of the wedges lc in Fig. 14, there results the same characteristic feature of the additional increasing friction and deformation work when the cross-section of the structure is reduced.

Also, in the case of curves, the rolled profiles of Figs. 1 to 8 can be pushed or pressed more or less deeply into each other, to a greater extent towardthe interior and to a smaller extent toward the exterior. n

The axially ypressed-in members of crossgrained hardwood or the hollow steel nipples shown at n in Fig. 9 can be .made conical or wedge-shaped on curves in a resilient structure.

If rthe reinforcing bridges band the pairs of Wedges k in the case of an especially resilient structure according to Figs. 14 and 15 fill out the entire periphery and space between the profiles, this friction of the axially pressed-in pairs of wedges and bridges usually completely suffices, and the profiles or sections need not be especially pushed or pressed into each other, but only need be joined or pressed together laterally, as indicated in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21 and 22 and also in Fig. 9.

In all the above described structures, several layers of rolled ring sections can be used concentrically one around the other, or equidistantly spaced apart from each other. Also, the ring sections may be used in the shape of continuous spirals; in the case of multiple walls, like or different directions of turns and different pitches of the screw threads may be used.

While I have hereindescribed and in the drawing shown only I-shaped cross-sectional iron sections, itis, of course, fully understood that my invention .is not limited thereto and that in my mine, shaftor tunnel constructions also ironsections of U-shaped cross-section can be used.

What I claim is:

1. A mine-, shaftor tunnel-construction, comprising sections of rolled profile irons of I- shaped cross-section joined together with their anged surfaces in the axial direction of the structure, reinforcing members of steel inserted between said sections in frictional contact therewith also in the axial direction of the structure bridging the joints between said sections, and welded transverse connecting elements extending in the axial direction of the structure in frictional engagement.

2. A mine, shaftor tunnel-construction as ,specified in claim l, including nipples of steel and hard wood intermediate said sections in frictional engagement therewith, packing material between the joints, and filling and packing material inside and outside said sections.

3. A mine-, shaftor tunnel construction as specified in claim 1, in which the joints of said sections are peripherally increased and in which the conically enlarged reinforcing members are movably disposed in said peripherally increased gaps, including pairs of wedges inserted intermediate said conically enlarged reinforcing members for increasing the friction and deformation of said sections.

4. In a mine-, shaftor tunnel-construction, separate sections of rolled profile irons of I- shaped cross section joined together' with their flanges in frictional engagement in the axial direction of the structure.

EMIL SCHMIDTMANN. 

